Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

Dinuba shooting suspect due in court

David Castellon, dcastell@visaliatimesdelta.com
Published 4:27 p.m. PT May 31, 2015

The man accused of shooting three men and killing one last month in an orchard south of Dinuba is scheduled to be in court on Tuesday.

On that day, Hernan Rodriguez, 24, of Reedley will have a status conference at the Tulare County Superior Courthouse in Visalia to determine if the defense and prosecutors are ready to go forward with a preliminary hearing on Friday.

That hearing is for a judge to review evidence and statements by investigators of the shooting to determine if enough evidence exists to recommend going forward to trial.

Often, preliminary hearings are delayed at the request of defense lawyers to give them time to investigate and prepare their cases.

Rodriguez was part of a work crew picking plums the morning of May 20 in an orchard southeast of Road 74 and Avenue 200, about a half mile from Dinuba.

Authorities have said a group of co-workers workers got into an altercation, and one pulled out a gun and fired. Court records identified a weapon found later as a 9mm semiautomatic handgun.

Cirilo Renteria Rodriguez, was one of the men shot, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other men, ages 65 and 60, were wounded, according to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department, which reported that one was shot in the head and one was shot in the chest and head.

Hernan Rodriguez pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to a single count of murder, five counts of attempted murder and other charges.

Stuart Anderson, a spokesman for the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office, wouldn’t confirm on Friday whether two of the attempted murder charges may have stemmed from the suspect firing at other people in the orchard and missing.

Prosecutors wouldn’t discuss on Friday the conditions of the two wounded men or whether they’re still hospitalized, but one of the attempted murder charges includes a special allegation of causing injury that resulted in paralysis or coma.

Anderson wouldn’t say which may have occurred in this case.

He said prosecutors also wouldn’t discuss investigators’ findings and what may have lead to the shooting.

Other special allegations filed against Hernan Rodriguez include use of a firearm, intentional discharge of a firearm and use of a firearm by somebody with a prior convictions.

The special allegation can result in harsher sentences if a suspect is convicted.

Hernan Rodriguez also is charged with individual counts of being a convicted felon with a firearm and making criminal threats.